Communications Specialist I

Position Summary:

The SEIU 2015 Communications Specialist works to amplify the voices of long-term care providers using clear, concise, and engaging message development and strategies. We inform and mobilize members; involve other stakeholders, including the senior and disability rights communities; and persuade decision makers. SEIU 2015 is a leading voice, advocate, and authority for quality long-term care as we endeavor to raise standards in the industry for both our members and their consumers. The right person for this job is an excellent storyteller—visual and verbal—with a demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, gender and social justice and consistent skill in weaving our commitment to being an antiracist organization into all of our messaging. This position is based in [city] with the ability to travel.

About the Organization:

Representing nearly 450,000 home care, skilled nursing facility, private agency and assisted living center workers, SEIU Local 2015 is the largest local union in California and the largest long-term care local union in the nation. Our members represent every race, every faith, and every ethnicity but are united in their commitment to caring for California's older adults and those with disabilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support our campaigns by developing strong, effective messaging that moves members, stakeholders and decision makers; message development will include elevating member and consumer issues, strategic use of research findings, campaign slogan development.
• Amplify our members’ voices, understand their issues, help them to speak out—which results in powerful, authentic communications pieces. 
• Train and develop member spokespeople, including “Train the Trainer” opportunities for nonComms staff.
• Write and edit member communications, including copy for e-blasts, mass texts, flyers, social media direct mail, and website.
• Create compelling visual content—graphics, photos, videos—for our social media platforms and other digital communications.
• Provide on-the-ground support at public actions; attending contract negotiations, Bargaining Team, and Organizing Committee meetings; shadowing organizers to get to know workers and leaders; learn the nuances of each campaign.
• Work with communications and field staff to develop and execute campaign communications strategies—including escalation strategies—to build membership and win campaigns.
• Assist with event production, staging, scriptwriting, spokesperson prep. .
• Get media attention and shape the coverage to amplify member issues and key campaign messages.
• Produce fact sheets, press kits, talking points, op-eds and other public messaging materials as needed.
• Develop digital media strategies –trends, targeting, segmenting, and tactics.
• Update website content and create basic graphic design elements as needed.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned. 

Expectations & Qualifications:

• Team player, working towards the success of the department collective and the whole organization.
• Forward thinking on innovation, use of technology, and creative communication strategies and tactics
• Strong commitment to justice—every kind of justice—economic, racial, environmental, gender, disability, generational, social, housing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, editing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to frame issues for different audiences.
• Must be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, deliver on time and within budget .
• Proficiency Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher); familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite; basic understanding of communications and project management tools such as Slack, Trello, and Asana; ability to be trained as needed on additional software and train other staff as needed.
• Proficient layout and design skills.
• Willingness to manage projects independently or work with a team.
• Have at least 1-2 years of experience in campaign communications, media relations, graphic design, web development, video or photo production, marketing, public relations, writing            
• Flexibility to work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Advanced skills in at least one and proficient in at least one other of the major disciplines of Communications work—message development, member spokesperson prep, media relations, social media, strategic campaign planning, graphic design, video production, and ready for training for proficiency in other areas.

 Expected Behavior: 

The Communication Specialist I is expected to embrace, promote and demonstrate the organizations’ core values: Leadership, Compassion, Empowerment, Accountability, Transparency, Excellence, such as:  

• High ethical standards,
• Train, develop, and mentor members and staff,
• Encourage team work and participation by staff and members,
• Ensure open communication, willingness to find lessons in both success and failure, and the desire to always strive for improvement.   

Physical Requirements:

Work is generally performed in an office setting. However, duties and function may require performing work in the field with members and outside constituents. Some irregular hours required. Intermittent travel may be required.

 Scope and Nature of Supervision:

Communication Specialist I may report to a Communications Director, Communications Coordinator, local union officer, or other assigned supervisor. Communication Specialists are frequently expected to operate without day-to-day supervision, to develop their own work plans and goals, and to act with a degree of discretion and independent judgment.  Accordingly, they must be strong self-starters and have a commitment to fulfill the objectives of the organization.

Job descriptions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of every activity or responsibility that is required for each role.

SEIU Local 2015 is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to recruiting and hiring without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.